Fence-post.



Patented Dec. 23, 190 2 No. 7l6,749.

F. R. PARKER. 'FENGE POST.

' (Application filed Apr. 3, 1902.1

(No Modal.)

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UNiTEn STATES PATENT @Fmcn.

FRANK ROBERT PARKER, OF BATTLECREEK, MICHIGAN.

FENCE-POST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 716,749, dated December 23, 1902.

Application filed April 3, 1902. Serial No. 101,196. (No model.)

To (bl/Z whom, it may canoe 7% Be it known that I, FRANK ROBERT PARKER,

. a citizen of the UnitedSt-ates, residing at Battlecreek, county of Calhoun, State of Michi' gan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fence-Posts; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to certain improvements in fence posts and bases.

An object of the invention is to provide an exceedingly simple, durable, strong, and economical base or anchor for fence-posts, telegraph-poles, and uprights or posts for various purposes.

The invention consists in certain novel features in construction and in arrangements and combinations of parts, as more fully and particularly'pointed out and explained hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the fence post and base. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the post and base, showing the base buried, the

earth and cement being broken away andshown in section. Fig. 3 is a top plan View of the post, showing the clamps securing the post to the base. Fig. a is a cross-section on the line 4 4, Fig. 2, through the base and expanding-wedge therein, the cement body not being shown. Fig. 5 is a detail elevation of the base detached and before being spread, also showing the wedge in perspective and separated from the base.

In the drawings, 1 is a metal post angular in crosssection. The base is usually form ed with a head or, preferably, solid upper end S, from which several legs 9 diverge downwardly, so that the legs are separated at their lower ends, and the base as an entirety tapers or reduces in size from its lower end longitudinally to its head or upper end. The legs and head are usually formed in one piece or integral. The head of the base is usually square or angular in cross-section to approximately con form to the interior formation of the post. In the specific showing the lower end of the post fits longitudinally on the exterior of the head of the base, with its wings fitting two flat faces of said head. The lower end of the post can fit on any one of the four corners of the base-head. The post can be secured to the base by any suitable means and in any desirable manner. The post can be bolted to the base, or one or more clamps 10 can be employed conforming to the shape of the lower this purpose.

After the post has been rigidly secured to the base the base islocated vertically in the excavation, so that the post extends above the surface of the ground in the desired manner. The excavation is then filled with cement or concrete ll, composed of sand, ce-

ment, gravel, and water mixed in the proper proportions. This composition while in the plastic condition is packed in the excavation,

so as to fill the spaces within the base and between the diverging legs thereof. When the composition sets and hardens, it forms a solid block, filling the excavation and entirely inclosing the base and the internal spaces and openings thereof, each leg of the base being irldividually inclosed in the concrete, so that the legs form separate diverging anchors, whereby the base is most firmly and rigidly locked and firmly held in the concrete, and a most permanent, strong, and durable structure is produced. I prefer to solocate the parts that the entire base and lower end of the post are covered and inclosed by the cement or concrete filling, so that the base is completely buried.

If desired, a loose wrapping of wire 12 may be arranged-around the base with the wire ends secured at the head of the base and to the lower end of one of the legs or prongs thereof. However, I do not wish to limit my invention to the employment of this length of wire wrapped around the base. The wire can be used to hold parts where subject to rough handling during shipment and also as a binder for the cement, particularly where cement body, with the base embedded therein,

is formed in molds and allowed to harden, so that the base can be shipped or buried in such condition.

If desired, the base can be formed in one piece, as a metal casting, or it can be composed of an elongated Wooden block or bar having the solid head and the foul-diverging legs extending down therefrom and formed by two longitudinal intersecting'slits through the lower end of the block and extending up to the head of the block, the planes of the slits intersecting at right angles, so that the legs in cross-section form similar squares. The block can be longitudinally sawed to form the slits and legs, and a wedge 13 can be provided to spreadthe legs. The wedge shown is tapered from its lower end to a point at its upper end and has four longitudinal fiat sides and is inserted between the lower ends of the four legs and driven longitudinally thereof to a point about midway the lengths of the legs or until the legs are spread to the desired extent. 'When the base is buried, the concrete fills in the spaces between and within the legs both above and below the Wedge and completely incloses the same and holds it in place.

Where the base is made of wood, I usually thoroughly coat the same with tar or some paint good for the purpose before burying the same in the cement or concrete.

The base described can be adapted for use in connection with many kinds and descrip tions of poles, posts, and upright supports and for anchoring purposes.

It is evident that various changes might be made in the forms, constructions, and 'arrangements of the parts described without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. Hence I do not Wish, as at present advised, to limit myself to the exact constructions shown.

,What I claim is 1. A base having diverging separated legs or portions, means holding said legs in their diverging position, a body of set or hardened plastic material entirely inclosing said base and filling the spaces between said legs or portions, substantially as described.

2. A base comprising the elongated block forming a head and depending diverging legs, and a wedge driven longitudinally between the legs and holding them diverging, the legs being formed by longitudinally slotting the block from one end up to said head, the slots intersecting each other, in combination with a post fitted on said head and a surrounding clamp locking the post to the head and bracing the headagainst splitting, substantially as described.

3. A base consisting of the oblongwooden block having a solid head at its upper end, the remainder of the block being formed into four legs by the two longitudinal intersecting slits, and the wedge driven longitudinally between the four legs and holding them separated and diverging, substantially as described.

4. In combination, a base comprising a head provided with diverging depending legs, a wire wrapped around the base, said base buried in concrete or cement which incloses the same and the legs, substantially as described.

I 5. A base formed of a wooden block longitudinally cut or slit to form a head and several depending diverging legs, means to hold the legs diverging, and a body of concrete or cement inclosing the legs and filling the spaces between them, substantially as described.

6. In combination, a base formed of an elongated head rectangular in cross-section and having depending separated legs, and a post having its lower end fitted longitudinally on the exterior of said head and secured thereto, the base and lower end of the post embedded in a body of cement, substantially as described.

7. In combination, a post, a base having a head provided with depending legs, said head conforming to the shape of the lower end of the post in cross-section, said end of the post partially embracing the head exteriorly, and a clamp encircling the head and post end and rigidly securing said parts together, said post end, clamp and base embedded in a body of cement, substantially as described.

8. A base formed from a block and having a head terminating in diverging legs formed by longitudinal cuts in the block, and a wedge between said legs and holding the same diverging downwardly from the head, said base being embedded in cement which fills the spaces between said legs and above and below said wedge, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

FRANK ROBERT PARKER. Witnesses: I

H. L. KNEELAND, C. L. ROBERTS. 

